Fergus Hodgson

Visiting Scholar – 2009-2010, Editorial Writer/Manager – 2017-2018

New Cryptocurrency to Mimic Algorithmic Central Bank

A new cryptocurrency, "basis," seeks to eliminate price volatility by setting up an “algorithmic central bank,” that is, a set of rules that adjust the money supply without human intervention.

New Cryptocurrency to Mimic Algorithmic Central Bank

Walmart a Boon for the Hungry

Walmart critics should take a hard look and assess whether they are really for the well-being of the poor or just virtue-signaling the fashionable dislike of “obscene” profits.

Walmart a Boon for the Hungry

Fewer International Students a Loss for America

The United States is losing her appeal to international students. Once accounting for nearly half of students worldwide, the number now constitutes 24 percent. 

Fewer International Students a Loss for America

What Minimum-Wage Advocates Ignore

Politicians often turn to minimum-wage hikes when pressed by constituents to "do something" about poverty. They turn a blind eye to the fact recipients tend not to be from poor…

What Minimum-Wage Advocates Ignore

‘The Mechanism’ Shows How the Corrupt Will Eat Their Own

In setting the right incentives for criminals to want to cooperate with law enforcement—for selfish reasons—lies the success of Brazil's crusade against corruption.

‘The Mechanism’ Shows How the Corrupt Will Eat Their Own

America Need Not Be the Incarceration Nation

There are so many criminal laws in place, ranging from the silly to the outright absurd, that most Americans will become potential felons during their lives.

America Need Not Be the Incarceration Nation

Don’t Believe Olympic-Bid Estimates

It is not just Canada; every single Olympic Games for which data was available exploded its budget, without exception. The Olympics are so grossly miscalculated that the authors concluded that…

Don’t Believe Olympic-Bid Estimates

If You Can’t Beat Foreign Competitors, Copy Them

The “sweet spot” that facilitates spillover effects occurs with foreign firms with local market focus and highly tangible assets. Although the results are not uniform, this new research shows that…

If You Can’t Beat Foreign Competitors, Copy Them

Why Fiscal Warnings Fall on Deaf Ears

The most profound and important insight from Miron's contribution is the political resistance to sufficient spending cuts, which are unavoidable, since neither higher taxes nor higher growth provide a path…

Why Fiscal Warnings Fall on Deaf Ears

Why Unpaid Internships Make Sense

In a perfect universe, everyone would be automatically productive, and firms would have deep pockets to hire employees right away with full salaries. The reality is that taking on a new…

Why Unpaid Internships Make Sense